Effect of by-products-based diet and intramuscular fat content on volatile compounds from pork.

This study evaluated the effects of a fibre- and fat-rich by-products-based diet and the intramuscular fat (IMF) content on volatile compounds in pork. Meat samples were collected from sixteen gilts included in a feeding trial. Half of the animals were fed a conventional diet based on wheat, maize, barley and soybean meal, whereas the other half were fed a by-products-based diet that contained corn germ meal, malt sprouts, crispbread meal and proticorn, but no cereals or soya.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: An appraisal of the 2023 ACR/CHEST guideline.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the current treatment landscape of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) in the context of the recent 2023 American College of Rheumatology/American College of Chest Physicians guideline for ILD treatment in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Recent Findings: The guideline conditionally recommends mycophenolate, azathioprine, and rituximab for first-line RA-ILD therapy, with cyclophosphamide and short-term glucocorticoids as additional options. For RA-ILD progression after first line, mycophenolate, rituximab, nintedanib, tocilizumab, cyclophosphamide, and pirfenidone are conditionally recommended, while long-term glucocorticoids are conditionally recommended against.

Medial and lateral knee contact forces and muscle forces during sit-to-stand in patients one year after unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Understanding how forces are transmitted through the knee after TKA is essential, as it may explain why many patients experience pain or functional limitations during various activities. This study compared knee muscle forces and knee contact forces (KCF) during sit-to-stand in patients one year after unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with either a medial ball-and-socket (MBS) or posterior stabilized (PS) implant and compared them to a group of similarly healthy aged controls (CTRL). A musculoskeletal model and static optimization estimated lower limb kinematics, knee kinetics, muscle forces, and KCFs.

Overview of the early campaign diagnostics for the SPARC tokamak (invited).

The SPARC tokamak is a high-field, Bt0 ∼12 T, medium-sized, R0 = 1.85 m, tokamak that is presently under construction in Devens, MA, led by Commonwealth Fusion Systems. It will be used to de-risk the high-field tokamak path to a fusion power plant and demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.

Impact of Sex, Serostatus, and Smoking on Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Subtypes.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) includes multiple subtypes with varying histopathology, prognosis, and potential treatments. Limited research has investigated risk factors for different RA-ILD subtypes. Therefore, we examined demographic, serologic, and lifestyle associations with RA-ILD subtypes.

Do 3-dimensional Spinopelvic Characteristics Normalize After THA? A Prospective, Comparative Study Using Motion Capture Analysis.

Background: Spinopelvic stiffness (primarily in the sagittal plane) has been identified as a factor associated with inferior patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and increased dislocation risk after THA. Incorporating preoperative spinopelvic characteristics into surgical planning has been suggested to determine a patient-specific cup orientation that minimizes dislocation risk. Sagittal plane radiographic analysis of static postures indicates that patients exhibit a degree of normalization in their spinopelvic characteristics after THA.

2D Kinematic Analysis of the and Manoeuvres of Criollo Breed Horses Competing in .

The and manoeuvres are critical in Criollo horse equestrian activities, yet their kinematics remain largely unexplored. This observational study aimed to kinematically describe the manoeuvres in Criollo breed horses and explore the relationship between static goniometry and dynamics. A 2D kinematic analysis was conducted on 31 Criollo horses performing the manoeuvres using high-speed cameras.

Edge scanning reflectometry for density profile measurement on the SPARC tokamak.

Edge scanning reflectometry (ESRL) on the SPARC tokamak aims to measure the electron density profile from the far scrape-off layer to the top of the typical H-mode pedestal and provide real-time data for plasma control. ESRL uses a standard frequency-modulated continuous wave technique from 18 to 90 GHz. By implementing both the O-mode and left-hand-cutoff X-mode, it covers densities from ∼4 × 1018 to ∼4 × 1020 m-3 at B0 ∼12 T.

Muscle Activity and Biomechanics While Descending a Staircase After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Study Comparing Different Posterior Stabilized and Medial Ball-and-Socket Designs.

Background: Many patients report more difficulty when descending stairs compared to level walking after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Different implant designs can affect knee biomechanics and muscle activity during gait, but their effect during stair descent is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate knee biomechanics and muscle activations of quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscles during a stair descent task in patients who underwent TKA with either a posterior stabilized (PS) or medial ball-and-socket (MBS) implant and to compare them to a group of healthy controls.

Forced vital capacity trajectories and risk of lung transplant and ILD-related mortality among patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

We aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes for forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVCpp) decline among patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We identified patients with RA-ILD in the Mass General Brigham Healthcare system. RA-ILD diagnosis was determined by review of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging by up to three thoracic radiologists.

Factors Associated With an Electronic Health Record-Based Definition of Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease.

Objective: Many individuals with rheumatic disease are at higher risk for severe acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate risk factors for postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) using an electronic health record (EHR)-based definition.

Methods: We identified patients with prevalent rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 within the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.

Knee biomechanics variability before and after total knee arthroplasty: an equality of variance prospective study.

This study evaluated gait variability in patients before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the equality of variance method to determine where variability differences occur in the movement cycle. Twenty-eight patients underwent TKA with cruciate-sacrificed implants. Patients underwent motion analysis which measured knee biomechanics as they walked overground at their preferred pace before and 12 months after TKA.

Effectiveness of a fourth dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: an emulated target trial.

Background: Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) might have blunted responses to COVID-19 vaccines. The initial mRNA vaccine series is defined as three doses for this population and a fourth booster dose is recommended. The effectiveness of the fourth dose in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using DMARDs is not well established.

On the prediction of tibiofemoral contact forces for healthy individuals and osteoarthritis patients during gait: a comparative study of regression methods.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. The intensity of the tibiofemoral contact forces is related to cartilage degeneration, and so is the importance of quantifying joint loads during daily activities. Although simulation with musculoskeletal models has been used to calculate joint loads, it demands high-cost equipment and a very time-consuming process.

Immunomodulator use, risk factors and management of flares, and mortality for patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis after immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer.

Objective: To investigate immunomodulator use, risk factors and management for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flares, and mortality for patients with pre-existing RA initiating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients with RA meeting 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria that initiated ICI for cancer at Mass General Brigham or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA (2011-2022). We described immunomodulator use and changes at baseline of ICI initiation.

Comparing three generic musculoskeletal models to estimate the tibiofemoral reaction forces during gait and sit-to-stand tasks.

The choice of musculoskeletal (MSK) model is crucial for performing MSK estimations to evaluate muscle demands and joint forces. This study compared two previously published generic MSK models and a modified model to estimate tibiofemoral reaction forces (TFRF) during gait, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit. The estimated tibiofemoral reaction forces were compared with an in vivo dataset from six patients using an instrumented knee prosthesis.

Associations of DMARDs with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a prospective study.

Objective: We investigated the baseline DMARD use and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) risk among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: Patients with SARDs and confirmed COVID-19 infection at Mass General Brigham completed a survey ≥28 days after a positive PCR/antigen test to prospectively investigate their COVID-19 courses. We investigated DMARD use at COVID-19 onset and PASC risk.

Effectiveness and tolerability of antifibrotics in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of antifibrotics in a real-world cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung diseases (RA-ILD).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we identified RA-ILD patients initiating antifibrotics at Mass General Brigham Integrated Health Care System, a large multi-hospital healthcare system in Boston, MA, USA. We used electronic query to identify all patients with at least 2 RA diagnosis codes and a prescription for either nintedanib or pirfenidone (2014-2023).

Risk factors and outcomes for repeat COVID-19 infection among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A case-control study.

Objective: To investigate risk factors and outcomes of repeat COVID-19 infections among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: We performed a case-control study investigating repeat COVID-19 infection within the Mass General Brigham Health Care System. We systematically identified all SARD patients with confirmed COVID-19 (15/Mar/2020 to 17/Oct/2022).

Immunomodulators and risk for breakthrough infection after third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate COVID-19 breakthrough infection after third mRNA vaccine dose among patients with RA by immunomodulator drug class, and we hypothesized that CD20 inhibitors (CD20i) would have higher risk for breakthrough COVID-19 vs. TNF inhibitors (TNFi).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study investigating breakthrough COVID-19 among RA patients at Mass General Brigham in Boston, MA, USA.

Mortality and immune-related adverse events after immune checkpoint inhibitor initiation for cancer among patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective, comparative, cohort study.

Background: Patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis initiating immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer might be at risk of increased mortality, rheumatoid arthritis flares, and other immune-related adverse events (AEs). We aimed to determine whether pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis was associated with higher mortality and immune-related AE risk in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods: This retrospective, comparative cohort study was conducted at the Mass General Brigham Integrated Health Care System and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston (MA, USA).